Crews Continue to Battle Wildfire at Eastern North Carolina Refuge

Fire crews plan to continue building containment lines around a massive wildfire that is burning in a sparsely inhabited rural area of eastern North Carolina.

Spokesman Bill Swartley of the North Carolina Forest Service said plans for firefighters also include pumping water onto smoldering peat fires burning in the ground.

The fire has grown to more than 32,000 acres since it was sparked by lightning a week ago. The fire was 40 percent contained June 8.

Officials say the fire fighting has cost just over $1 million. More fire fighters are expected to arrive to help the 250 personnel already assigned to the fire.